4 minute read
CHAZ RIEWALDT
DOG RESCUER, FIX-IT GUY, CHAZ IS BELOVED MEMBER OF THE YAM STAFF
By JACI WEBB
Chaz Riewaldt is a humble man with a vast array of skills and a propensity for speaking what’s on his mind. His actual job description at the Yellowstone Art Museum is facilities manager, but he is so much more than that. He constructs pedestals and walls to display art, and builds shelves and stand-up work stations for the employees. He’s also the IT guy, the one who set up Zoom meetings so the YAM Board of Trustees and committees could meet virtually during the pandemic. He paints, cleans the carpeting, helps move art. And he greets everyone he encounters with a quip and a smile. In many ways, Chaz is the one person you can always count on to be at the YAM, and he considers maintaining the museum his art, “People ask me all the time, ‘Where is your art?’ I say you’re standing in it.” He likes to point out that his job title reads, “facilities” as in more than one space because the museum is more than one structure. There is the old portion of the building that was once the Yellowstone County Jail, then the addition, and finally the Visible Vault across North 26th Street from the main structure. In total, Chaz is responsible for 49,000 square feet. Chaz is one of the longest serving employees at the YAM, and he never dreamed that he would finish his long work history serving at a contemporary art museum. “This was the last place I thought I’d work,” he said. But his interview with former director Robyn Peterson went so well, and he started to see himself working in an art museum. Chaz took that leap and never looked back. “A week after I came here, I thought, ‘This is my retirement job.’” When you hear the keys jangling, you know that Chaz is headed into a room. And he’s always moving, fixing a light here, inspecting a window there. Chaz was born in California and raised in upstate New York. His dad was in the Air Force and the family moved often. Chaz joined the Air Force as well and served as an air passenger cargo specialist. He finished his Air Force career in Grand Forks, N.D., and eventually found his way to Montana. After working for 18 years in the restaurant industry, he put his carpentry skills to use remodeling houses, usually by himself. That’s where Chaz learned to innovate and problem solve to find solutions for repairs and then teach himself the skills needed to make repairs. He was managing the facilities at the YMCA before he came to the YAM. Just a little more than a year ago, Chaz found another passion — fostering older dogs. “It started last year. I had a chihuahua that died in March. I rescued Doodle and I connected with Tails As Old As Time.” The Lewistown animal rescue program pairs older dogs, some with disabilities, with foster pet owners like Chaz. He currently has five dogs, four of which are foster dogs. “The reason I do old dogs is they just want someone to love them.” There are two other sources of pride for Chaz — his 33-year-old son Reed Taylor and his 33 years of sobriety. Next time you visit the YAM, stop and say hello to Chaz, and thank him for keeping the art safe and the museum beautiful.
Saturday, October 29, 2022 | 7 – 11 PM
The most creative and awe-inspiring Halloween party in town, Masquerade at the YAM, is back this year for another night of entertainment, dancing, mystics and so much more! Be prepared to be wowed with live performances tarot and mystic readings, Billings’ best costume contest, and our courtyard dancefloor and DJ! Guests will also enjoy cocktails, local brews and creative appetizers by Raven’s Café D’Art.
This year’s Masquerade is themed Hollywood Horror! Nostalgic films from every decade or undead starlets; we invite guests to interpret the theme in any way that inspires their creativity. Guests should note that the theme is NOT required, but rather up for interpretation. We encourage attendees to let their creativity shine when considering their individual or group costumes by hosting the ultimate premier costume contest- and, yes, there will be prizes!
After two years of pandemic related cancellations, we couldn’t be more excited to bring the Masquerade back to our community. You don’t want to miss this sell-out event at the Yellowstone Art Museum. Tickets are available starting September 1 at artmuseum.org. Please check the YAM’s website and Facebook page for exciting event updates.
